Dark.

Nora opens her eyes. Her vision is blurred. She blinks a few more times before opening to see her arm covered in burn scars and a bed.

"No need to worry, miss. You and your friend are going to be just fine" Klein glances down with friendly brown eyes after adjusting some medical tubes.

Nora's vision turns to the sound of a door being opened. Blake is opening a door for Ruby, Weiss, Bernadetta and Whitley, who are carrying an unconscious Penny.

"She lost consciousness. And she's... leaking" Blake said.

"Set her down, set her down" Klien ordered.

Ruby, Weiss and Whitley set Penny on a bed next to Nora's. Whitley is shown grimacing at the green coolant that stains his clothes. Ruby, Bernadetta and Weiss do the same.

"Can you help her?" Ruby asked in concern.

Klein scans Penny with his scroll, which locates an injury at her waist. His eyes are red as he assesses the damage "Even based on what you've told me, I hardly know what she is" He coughs, and his eyes turn from red to brown "Ahem, but, her basic anatomy seems similar enough. I can at least stitch up that wound".

"Is Severa ok?" Bernadetta asked.

"Her wound was bad, but she was really lucky that whoever impaled her missed her vital organs... Otherwise she would've died before I even got here" Klien answered before he sighed "But whether or not she will fully recover, I can't say".

A thundery crash sounds from outside. Everyone present glances in that direction. The power suddenly goes out.

Whitley looked annoyed "Oh, that's just rich".

Ruby takes out her ringing scroll. May's voice comes through "Everyone okay back there? Just saw another bombing run light up the kingdom".

Ruby glances out the window "Looks like part of the city lost power. We're okay though".

May "Sorry I couldn't stick around, but time's running out for everyone in the crater".

"No, we're sorry. Once we know what's wrong with Penny, we'll... we'll do something" Ruby said.

May "Don't beat yourself up, kid. At this point I don't know how much is left to be done".

As May ends the call, Ruby starts to tear up "It's all just... too much. The Grimm, the crater, Severa, Nora, Penny... How do we fix all of it?

Weiss puts a reassuring hand on Ruby's shoulder as Klein sneezes, his eyes light blue "One step at a time, my dear" He sneezes again, his eyes returning to brown "You can't worry about fixing everything. Simply focus on what's in front of you. If you'd like some place to start, I'd be able to work faster if you could bring the power back on".

Ruby tried to think of something "Well, how would we-".

"We have a generator near the edge of the estate" Willow is leaning on a doorframe, a bottle of alcohol in hand.

Whitley huffs, crossing his arms "So kind of you to join us, mother".

"Believe it or not, I am above drinking in the dark" Willow then notices Klein with them "Oh, hello, Klein".

Klein gives his former employer a silent nod.

"SDC executives have their own auxiliary power supplies in case of a city-wide blackout. It's extremely unfair, but perhaps now isn't such a bad time for company perks" Weiss said.

Whitley glances out the window and seems to come to an epiphany "We don't just have perks".

Weiss looks at him "Hm?".

"We have the company. The people you mentioned in the crater, they need a way out, right? There are rows and rows of cargo ships just sitting in the hangars because of the embargo" Whitley explained.

"And our own automated drones, like the ones at Snow Shoe Shipping" Weiss realized.

"We can order as many as we need to pilot our ships down to the crater and get people to safety, while the Grimm are occupied with the general's forces" Whitley said.

"We can?" Blake asked.

"I can. I just need father's computer" Whitley said.

"Then we definitely need to get the power back on" Ruby said.

"Finally some light in the dark" Bernadetta said, earning some looks which made her blush "Sorry, Yang is rubbing of on me".


Blake, Bernadetta and Ruby sprint to the power shed outside Schnee Manor and push open the gates. Ruby throws a lever on the backup generator, and it hums to life. The words STARTUP SEQUENCE - POWER BACKUP can be seen on its main display.

"Oh, come on, come on" Ruby said, sounding really stressed.

"Don't worry. It'll work" Blake assured.

Ruby looks down "Nothing else has".

Blake was silent for a moment before she spoke "I know you don't always know what to do, but that's never stopped you from doing something. I was like that as a girl, but time and... a lot of other things, took their toll on me. Then I wasn't sure if that kind of girl could actually survive in the world... until I met you. It was a little strange at first because you were younger, but I've always looked up to you, Ruby. And I still do".

"She's right, Ruby" Bernadetta said, looking shy but genuin "You are one of the bravest people I've ever met. When most of us were ready to give up, you stayed strong, and you gave others enough hope to keep fighting. If not for you, we may never have saved Haven, because if you hadn't insisted on going there, me, Weiss and Yang might've never reunited, and we would've been sold back to our fathers. And you helped Lucina out of her depression once she learned she was Salem's granddaughter... What I'm trying to say, Ruby: Non has earned our trust more than you".

Ruby tears up again, and seems to be reassured "Thanks guys".

The generator finally reaches operational capacity, and power is restored to Schnee Manor. Whitley, who is waiting in his father's study, practically pounces on the keyboard of the desktop terminal as Weiss looks on. Blake seems satisfied at a job well done, but her ears droop, and her expression turns to one of shock as she regards something behind Ruby, Bernadetta looks... and her expression changes to one of horror.

"What?" Ruby asked confused.

The Hound's silhouette can be seen in front of a flash of lightning through a window behind Ruby.


Weiss answers a transmission from her team on her Scroll "Ruby! Blake! Bernie!".

"Weiss! There's a Grimm that- Look out!" Blake said before The transmission cuts off, and Weiss turns to her brother, still on the computer "Can you handle this?".

Whitley rolled his eyes "Assuming you can handle that".

Weiss scoffs, and hurries for the door "We still need to work on your attitude".


Ruby is thrown through a hole in the wall of the power shed. The Hound roars menacingly at her. Blake tries to land a blow, but her strike is deflected. Bernadetta fires some ice arrows, but The Hound shatters them with a swipe.

The Hound lunges forward, and Ruby avoids it using her Semblance "What is this thing?!".

"It's just a Grimm. Just focus" Blake fires at the Hound as Ruby takes a deep breath in preparation to use her Silver Eyes.

Blake leaps off a wall to attack, but is knocked aside. Bernadetta shot a fire arrow which did little more than stagger the large grimm. It swipes at her, but Bernadetta ducked and used the bladed part of her bow to slash it in the side. She fell on her back to avoid another attack and aimed another ice arrow, aiming to shoot it through the Hound's neck. But she underestimated it's speed, as it quickly smashed her in to the ground with it's paw.

"Take the girl" The Hound said as it smelled Bernadetta, and there was a familiar sent on her, but was shot in the side by Ruby.

"Leave her alone!" Ruby demanded,

"Take the girl" The Hound said, smelling it's target on Ruby as well. It charges, pinning Ruby to the ground. Her Aura shimmers weakly.

Blake gets back onto her feet "Ruby!".

With a roar, the Hound sprouts newly formed wings from its back. It begins to take off, Ruby in tow, but Blake manages to get her weapon around one of its feet, and stabs her sheath into the ground to tether it.

Meanwhile, Weiss arrives at the scene, speaking into her Scroll "Klein! There's a Grimm here and others might be nearby. Keep everyone together and call if there's trouble".

Klein "Of course".

Weiss launches a barrage of icy projectiles at the airborne Hound, but misses. She stabs her rapier into the ground, using her Semblance to call forth a Giant Nevermore, but it is destroyed mid-summon as Centinels join the fray. Blake is momentarily distracted as a Centinel tries to attack, and the Hound shakes off its tether, climbing higher into the sky.

"No!" She called out desperately.

"RUBY!" Bernadetta shouted as she fired arrows which were avoided.

The Hound notices the distant green glow of Penny's Maiden powers from the manor, and Ruby looks at the green coolant staining her clothes.

"It's not here for me, it's here for Penny!" She said.

The Hound changes targets, dropping Ruby and taking off for the manor. Weiss notices her falling helplessly "Ruby!".

The girl hits the ground hard, her Aura dissipating. Blake destroys the last Centinel, then turns to Weiss "Help the others, I've got her. Bernadetta, go with her".

Weiss and Bernadetta casts one last worried look at Ruby, then heads to the manor . Blake crosses the yard to help Ruby, but another Grimm emerges from the ground, barring her path. A Cenitaur drags itself into view and screeches, its body churning with bright green acid.


Back in the manor, Severa slowly wakes up when the commotion inside grows worse. She was still in serious pain, but her wound had been treated. She wondered what was going on, until she could feel cold air.

"Penny..." She whispers as she all but falls out of the bed she was in "Need to... do... something...".


Willow bursts through the doors of her room, breathing heavily. She reaches for a bottle on a nearby table, but seems to harden her resolve, seeing her Scroll next to it. A distant crash has her yelping in surprise. The Hound has entered the manor's entrance hall, and sniffs around for Penny, stopping at a large puddle of her green coolant on the floor. Nora and Penny look horrified at the Grimm's distant sniffling sounds.

Weiss and Bernadetta reaches the manor as well, stepping lightly and looking for the Hound.

Suddenly Weiss' Scroll beeps "Above you!".

The two girls narrowly dodges as the Hound drops from the ceiling, but it swings its' arm, knocking Weiss backward. Her Aura shimmers as she slams into the piano behind her. Bernadetta fires several ice arrows at the Hound as it leaps onto the second landing, and it roars indignantly before crawling out of sight.

Weiss uses her scroll "Mom?


In Willow's room, her bottle lies in pieces. She brings up several camera feeds showing the manor's surveillance on her Scroll.

"I... I can see it. It's outside Winter's old room. I- You can kill it? Can't you?" Willow asked in fear


"What is it doing?" Weiss asked as she and Bernadetta heads for the stairs as she talks. The Hound is prowling the hallway, sniffing.

Willow "I'm not sure. It's acting strange. Why is it here?"

Weiss and Bernadetta climbs the stairs, their weapons at the ready.

"It doesn't matter. Just keep an eye on it so I can track it down" Weiss.

Willow takes a breath to steady herself "Right. Right. Okay. It's moving again. Heading towards... Oh dear, no".

"What? What's happening?" Bernadetta asked.


Meanwhile, Whitley is still working in his father's study, his vest stained with Penny's green coolant "I can do this".

His Scroll beeps "Whitley".

Whitley groans, hanging up on his mother "You are the last thing I need. All that's left should be...".

The door creaks open, and Whitley grunts in frustration, turning to the door. His expression turns to one of horror.

As the Hound makes its way into the study, Whitley takes cover behind the desk. The Grimm sniffs around, its footsteps rattling the pieces of a nearby chess set. Whitley risks a look at the Hound.

Computer: Credentials verified. Click to proceed.

The Hound's head snaps toward the computer, and Whitley goes back behind the desk. As the Grimm nears the desk, Whitley's eyes widen "I know... you're here".

A summoned Boarbatusk suddenly charges the Hound, pinning it to the wall. Willow is seen in the doorway "Run!".

Whitley heads for the door, turning back for one last keystroke. A window reading ORDERS RECEIVED pops up on the computer screen as the Hound fights Willow's summon. Willow and Whitley scramble into the hallway, putting distance between themselves and the room, but the Hound destroys the summoned Boarbatusk and bursts out of the room. Whitley slams the door behind him at the end of the corridor but it barely slowly the Hound down. As he and his mother sprint, the Hound starts to gain on them, and pounces.

A wall of solid ice stops the Grimm from advancing, and Willow and Whitley turn to see Weiss and Bernadetta at the end of the corridor.

Weiss smiled "I didn't forget you".

Willow and Whitley both smile at her, but their expressions change as the ice wall begins to crack. On the other side, the Hound slashes at the wall with its' claws.

"Go!" Weiss ordered.

Willow lays a concerned hand on her daughter's shoulder as she and Whitley run past. Weiss stabs her weapon into the ground to prepare for a summon and Bernadetta readies three arrows. That monster is not getting past them without a fight. The Hound hears a scream, then abandons its efforts at breaking the ice wall, turning and heading for Weiss' bedroom.

Weiss' Arma Gigas summon fades away behind her as she speaks into her scroll "It's coming!".

The scream came from Penny, who is struggling more than ever to maintain control "I'm sorry!".

With one last grunt, Watts' hack takes over and her eyes stay red. Klein tries to stop her, but Penny simply pushes him away and leaves Weiss' bedroom. Willow and Whitley finally reach the entrance hall, and they grab the bannister of the main staircase, breathing heavily. Penny walks by them.

Whitley looks at her "What are you doing?".

"I must open the Vault, and then self-terminate" Penny said, her voice is monotonous.

The Hound appears and locks hands with Penny at the landing, forcing them both into a standstill. Then a third arm emerges from its back and slams Penny into the floor repeatedly. It growls out each word of its order every time Penny hits the ground.

"Take. The. Girl" The Hound lifts an unconscious Penny with one hand as Ruby, Bernadetta, Weiss, and Blake return to the manor.

"Penny!" Ruby called out in worry. The Grimm raises a claw to Penny's throat, causing the girls to stop in their tracks. Willow and Whitley look on, terrified.

"No... No more... NO. MOOOORE!" Bernadetta screamed as her eyes began glowing

Ruby, Weiss and Blake turn to look at her as a bright light emanates from her Silver Eyes. The Hound drops Penny and stumbles back, falling through the window behind it. Penny tumbles down the staircase, coming to a rest at the three girls' feet. Bernadetta collapsed in to Blake's arms, unconscious while Ruby and Weiss rush the check on Penny, but the Hound slowly crawls back into view.

As it drags itself back onto the landing, its inner core is visible: the head of a decrepit Silver-Eyed male fox Faunus with unsightly veins covering his face, dark fluid seeping from his one eye and ear, and exposed musculature by his jaw. As it lumbers down the stairs and its joints crack back into place, the head repeats its orders in a raspy voice. Even Ruby is stunned at the horrific sight.

"Take... the girl. Take the girl. Take the girl. Take the girl!" The Hound said.

Whitley noticed someone arriving "What are you doing here? You shouldn't even be moving around".

Weiss and Blake hurriedly carry Penny and Bernadetta to an alcove in the wall before raising their weapons to stand beside Ruby.

"Take the girl!" The Hound repeated "TAKE! THE! GIRL!".

Just as the half-dead Grimm is ready to make a final lunge... Severa drops down from below, sword in hand and began stabbing the Hound violently.

"Severa!?" Blake shouted in surprise and worry.

Severa angrily stabs the Hound over and over, causing it to collapse as it's injuries finall caught up to it "Stay away from my family! YOU UGLY SON OF A BITCH!".

She stabs it one more time... and the Hound's grimm body finally began fading. Severa rolls of the body, holding her side as she had began bleeding again. Blake rushed up and held her up.

"Severa! Are you ok?" Blake asked in worry.

"Damn... that was so stupid of me..." Severa said as she looked at the blood on her hand.

Ruby quickly hugged her while being mindful of her wound "You're alive... thank goodness you're alive".

Severa smiled softly "Sorry I worried you... But... what was that thing?".

"That was... a person" Ruby answered.

The dark Grimm flesh fades away to reveal the skeleton of its' Faunus host... Severa looked horrified... she had killed again...

.

Tell me what you think.